So sorry it took so long, I had so much trouble writing this chapter, but trust me things are about to heat up. I thank you all who have stuck with me this far and I promise not to disappoint. Please tell me what you think and enjoy. And I'm not making fun of any nationalities in the later part of this chapter; I am after all Italian, Irish, Welsh, German and English.

Chapter 4

Maura stood in front of the full length mirror in her room, debating on which dress to wear tonight. It was only ten but she figured she wasn't going anywhere else today so why not just wear it all day. She had narrowed down her choices to two dresses; one a red strapless dress that showed off her curves and came down to just beneath her knees. The other was a white dress that covered her shoulders and didn't show off her chest but left little to the imagination on her legs, the dress barely reaching her knees. Maura thought about what she was trying to do- trying to keep the Detective off her tail. In the back of her mind Maura knew that wasn't the only reason for the dinner, she was truly interested in Detective Rizzoli.

Suddenly Maura understood why Kurt was so angry about the whole thing; he was jealous that Maura had an interest in the officer. Maura had never been good with people, which was one of the main reasons she had become a medical examiner. Since things hadn't gone as planned in that field she had to learn to deal with people; but sometimes she was still oblivious to others emotions. Kurt was a mystery to her; everything he did for her was just another thing she questioned. How could someone be so willing to give everything to protect another? Maura had no relationship beyond that of friends with Kurt. It's true they were close they had to be, they were living together.

"White it is…" Maura muttered to herself hanging the red dress up in the closet.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Kurtis sat out on the couch watching the news as he often did when Maura was busy. Of course what Maura was doing, Kurt didn't consider it to be 'busy'. She was so worried about her dinner with the Detective; she should have been more worried about getting caught. The second Kurt had heard Maura explain what was going on he knew that there was something behind Maura's initial motives. He had no right however to stop her from what she wanted to do; he worked for her as he would for the rest of his life. Switching on the volume he tried to keep his attention off the plan he actually dreaded.

"Just an hour ago the Boston Police Department's Homicide unit released a statement. According to lead detective, Jane Rizzoli, Homicide has one man in custody and three other suspects in line to be questioned about the murder. They also confirmed that the recent murder of Mr. and Mrs. VanCroft are in fact related. There have been no farther details as to the severity of the case…"

Kurt stumbled off the couch at the realization the VanCroft's had been found. He hadn't been expecting someone to find them for at least another day since they were supposed to be out of town until Monday of the next week. Kurt opened the door into Maura's room without knocking and was greeted with a cry of surprise and then a high heel shoe to the head.

"Would you knock!?" Maura cried annoyed. "For God's sake Kurt, I'm not dressed."

Kurt couldn't exactly sign with one hand but he did his best to make out everything even with the splint on his broken pinkie.

'They found the VanCroft's. I don't know how long ago, but they did.' Kurt grunted in frustration as Maura struggled to figure out what he said.

"Your signing is terrible," she muttered. "And I don't see a problem for us, unless we left something behind. That much I know we didn't."

'You're not worried?' Kurt asked.

"I didn't kill them, I didn't steal the egg." Maura reminded him. "The only thing illegal that we did was break into their house."

'I hope to God you know what you're doing Maura.' Kurt turned on his heel and left Maura standing alone in her underwear.

"You could have closed the door!" Maura shouted after him.

She heard from out in the front a door slamming; Kurt had gone out to blow off some steam. It made absolutely no sense to Maura why he was so worked up over this. The cops didn't have enough evidence to charge her, and that was only if they were looking at her for the murders. Maura shook her head with a sigh and stepped into her dress.

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Olivia kneeled down to examine Arthur VanCroft closer. Both he and his wife had been stabbed in the chest with an ice pick; just as J.T. Wallace had. Olivia would have no idea if the ice picks had actually killed the two until she returned with them to the morgue. This was one instance where her gut feeling was probably right; the VanCroft's died the same way as Mr. Wallace, and that COD was still unknown.

I came into the room and dropped down next her Olivia, wanting to know what she had found. The rest of the house was clear and everything seemed to be in its place and nothing appeared to be missing. The motive looked to me the same as before, besides the fact nothing had been stolen.

"What are you thinking, 'Liv?" I asked.

"That it wasn't the ice picks that killed them," she replied. "Something is just so off about this."

"Still no results on Mr. Wallace's tox screen?" I asked.

"Just the mickies, there is no explanation for his death which I suspect will be the same with them." Olivia hated being so unsure. "Either Doyle has gotten really creative or it isn't him. Whoever did this has to be a genius I mean I can't even figure it out."

"You're so modest." I smiled.

"Shut up Jane, I don't see a PhD hanging on your wall." Olivia glared at me.

"Jane, if you're done arguing with the Doc we could use you in here." Frost peered into the room.

Mumbling to myself I left Olivia to do her job. Korsak and Frost were in the VanCroft's large bathroom, staring at something on the wall. The bathroom had been the last place we checked after we had cleared the house and we were just now getting to it. I pushed between the two of them to get a closer look. Taped to the tile wall was a picture of the VanCroft's with their faces crossed off. I turned to face Frost and Korsak.

"Did we find something like that at Mr. Wallace's place?" I asked.

"No, but we could always go back and do that." Frost replied.

"You two do that, I'm going to go back with Olivia and help out with the autopsy." I told them.

"This seem weird to you at all?" Korsak asked. "It's like this whole thing was staged. It just seems to perfect to me, like someone was setting something up."

"Hell of a lot of work is you ask me," I said. "It would have been easier to bury the bodies."

"Not to mention Doyle doesn't kill women…" Frost chimed in.

"He's still a murderer; he could have made an exception." I offered up.

The three off us piled out of the bathroom to let the crime scene techs to their jobs. Korsak and Frost went to go talk to Cavanaugh about the possibility of the killer not being Doyle but a copycat. I left it to them, my interest was still in that of the deceased; I was worried that Olivia would find something that would take us away from Doyle. It was bad thinking for my line of work, I followed the evidence not what I wanted to believe. But now more than ever the overwhelming need to apprehend Doyle was too much.

Olivia was now examining Mrs. VanCroft; a very beautiful woman before her untimely death. From looking in pictures around the house she was a lively woman, someone who loved adventure and knew things. Long black hair led into broad, strong shoulders which led into her well toned arms. Her torso and legs told the same story as the rest of her- a woman who cared about her body. It was a pity that such a thing was destroyed with a pick to the chest and soon to be even farther ruined by the cuts of a scalpel. Looking down at Olivia, I noticed that she was turned towards me, staring.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Find anything?" I was curious.

"No, I have to get them back to the morgue before I find anything," she replied, growling slightly.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I can't do my work with you breathing down my back, so please back off." Olivia was obviously upset over something.

"I guess I'll uh… meet you back at the morgue…" I muttered, holding up a hand and backing away.

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Olivia stood over Arthur VanCroft looking down into his chest, the ribs gone all that remained where his internal organs. I waited with my arms crossed for her to say something, give me one of her snarky remarks and get into an argument. She never opened her mouth, something I had done had truly pissed her off; it was obvious she was mad at me. Want so badly to get her to speak, I put my hands on the autopsy table and leaned forward.

"Find anything?" I asked.

"A hole in Mr. VanCroft's heart…" she muttered sarcastically.

"Anything we didn't already know?" I pushed her.

"Did you hit your head when you were attacked by the meth addict?" she angrily set her hands down on the table, copying my position.

"Excuse me?" I was confused.

"I've known you to be reckless but this time Jane you're just being crazy." Olivia was making no sense.

"Are you talking about my dinner?" I asked, finally understanding. "Olivia I don't think Dr. Isles is the killer, nor is this anything but business."

"Jane, that's what you said when you dated Dean and Casey, but it always ends up as something more." Olivia gave me a concerned, caring look.

"I'm not going to sleep with her," I suddenly got defensive. "I'm not a lesbian."

"Jane." Olivia tried to get it out of me. "Okay listen, maybe you aren't but how many of your relationships with men have lasted? And before you argue you push them away."

"Fine Olivia, yes maybe the thought crossed my mind but that doesn't explain why you're so upset with me." I countered.

"Because if this Dr. Isles does end up being our guy… girl whatever I don't want you getting hurt and ending up acting like you did when Casey left." Olivia was stern and blunt, but she was right.

"Why do you go there?" I asked, pushing off the table and away from VanCroft's cold body. "Why go straight to him?"

Olivia didn't reply, instead she stepped away from VanCroft and tore her latex gloves from her hands. She came over to me, not quite fuming but not quite calm either, and took a hold of my arm spinning me towards the door that lead out of the morgue and into the lab. Suzie smiled at me with some confusion as Olivia continued to pull me towards the elevator, I smiled back almost positive Suzie saw the confusion in my eyes. Finally at the elevator she stopped but never pressed the up button.

"I'm not mad at you, I love you, you know that," she started. "I'm just watching out for you. We had a deal remember? The next bullet I take, but for right now I'm taking you home and getting you dressed. The autopsy can wait for half an hour; I just want to get you on your merry way so I can work without you questioning the size of a hole in the victim's heart."

"I never said that." I said, grinning.

"Shut up."

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Olivia pulled her blue Dodge Caliber to the curb across from the restaurant I was supposed to meet Dr. Isles at. She had forced me into a clean pair of black slacks with a clean black blazer and instead of the blue shirt I had on earlier I had on a red low-cut shirt. It was my usual work attire but I honestly didn't have anything else to wear, besides a black dress my mom bought me a year back. I ran my hand through my hair before opening the car door and stepping out onto the street.

"Need me to pick you up later?" she asked.

"No I'll call a cab, don't worry about it." I told her.

"Alright, call me before work tomorrow I'll fill you in on what you've missed," she nodded glancing to the road in front of her. "Good luck."

"Thanks…" I said, shutting the door before crossing the street.

I entered into to an extremely well decorate restaurant looking like it should have belong in Italy. Everyone around me was in formal dress, looking like they were going to a wedding and me standing in my work cloths, I felt out of place. Hell I couldn't even afford to eat here, just by looking around I could tell the appetizer would be out of my price range. Then my sight landed on her, standing just a few feet away I hadn't even noticed and she hadn't noticed me. Dr. Isles wore a white dress, one that covered her shoulders and had a scoop neckline. It fit close to her body showing off all of her perfect curves, and it cut off just above the knees leaving her slim legs exposed. Deciding to go over to her I wiped my sweaty palms on my slacks, not understanding why I was sweating or nervous.

"That dress looks good on you."

Maura looked up at me smiling and stood, coming up just an inch or two shorter than me in her high heels. She gently put her hand on my elbow then removed it, but I was unsure of the meaning behind it.

"Why thank you Detective," she thanked me. "You look nice yourself."

"I feel underdressed." I replied sheepishly.

"Don't worry about it, you look fine." Maura reassured me. "They already have our table ready; I just felt the need to meet you at the door."

I gave her and uncomfortable smile before a hovering waiter lead us to our table, and handed us a menu. A second later I realized I would be eating leftovers and ramen for the next two months, I couldn't afford dinner.

"Order whatever you want detective, it's my treat."

"Really I couldn't-"

I was cut off as an older man came up to the table smiling widely. He was heavier but had that Italian look about him; my guess he was the owner. He and Maura seemed to be friends because she rose and kissed him on both cheeks smiling before sitting back down.

"It's good to see you here again mia cara!" he said in a thick Italian accent.

"It's good to see you too, Marzio," she said before turning to me. "Jane this is Marzio Rossi the owner of this fine establishment. Marzio this is Jane Rizzoli, a new friend of mine."

"Rizzoli is italiano correct?" Marzio didn't wait for an answer. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Rizzoli."

He kissed my hand before I corrected him.

"It's actually Detective Rizzoli…" I said politely.

"My apologies, Detective," he said, and I waved it off as okay. "I knew that name was familiar, you're the detective who was shot awhile back, no?"

"Yeah that was me." I replied.

"Not only did Maura bring me a full blooded Italian she brought me one of Boston's finest." Marzio dropped a heavy hand on my shoulder out of respect.

"Marzio please your embarrassing her." Maura finally spoke up, unable to suppress a grin.

"At least it isn't you for once." Marzio turned his attention to me laughing. "Do you know what this lady here has done to me? She comes in here with a date, and none of them are Italian. Dr. Isles has brought me customers who are Russian, Polish, Swedish, German and half a dozen who were Irish. I think you're my first Italian she's brought me."

I couldn't help but laugh with him, his very happy persona rubbing off onto us. He clapped his hands together and stepped away.

"I'll tell you what Dr. Isles, because you have brought such a lovely and heroic guest, dinner is on me tonight. Along with your wine, I'll even make it of my personal selection."

"Marzio that's very sweet of you but I couldn't ask you to do that." Maura immediately got a look of guilt on her face.

"No argument Maura, you are a friend and a loyal customer, let me treat you this time alright?" Marzio was persistent and Maura just couldn't argue out of it.

Marzio left the two of us with a huge smile plastered on his face, for a moment we both sat in silence unsure of what to say. I really needed to ask her questions about the VanCroft's but I was already enjoying myself more than I should. She was, after all, still a suspect in Mr. Wallace's murder. Maura seemed to read my mind; she knew why I had agreed to having dinner with her and understood we had to talk about it one way or another.

"I know what's on your mind Detective," she said slowly. "Why not get over with your questions before our order gets here?"

"Agreed," I said glancing at the menu, unable to decide what I was going to order. "Were the VanCroft's at Mr. Wallace's the night of his murder?"

"I'm sure you already know the answer to that," Maura smiled. "But I'll humor you, yes they were there but I didn't see them around J.T."

"I take it you saw the news then?" I asked.

"I watched some of it enough to know they had been killed," Maura's eyes downcast to her hands.

"Were you a friend?" I asked, giving her a look of sympathy.

"I wouldn't say we were friends but I did talk art with Arthur, his grandfather had come over from Russia during the First World War so he had a lot of priceless pieces." Maura explained. "I was interested in buying one of his paintings, that's all."

"I take it that deal didn't go through?" I realized she would have lost more by killing the VanCroft's then she would have gained.

"Unfortunately no, but instead of mourning over a missed purchased I should mourn their deaths." Maura replied sadly.

I was about to ask her more about the VanCroft's when Marzio came up to the table holding a bottle of wine. Maura turned her attention to him as he uncorked the bottle for us, immediately pouring each of us a glass.

"Cristal?" Maura's expression was of shock. "Marzio really that wasn't necessary."

"For you Maura everything is necessary." Marzio smiled setting the bottle off to the side. "No one who comes here buys it; it's a shame to let such a good wine go to waste. If anyone gets it free it should by you and of course the lovely detective."

"You're too good to me." Maura smiled.

"Of course," Marzio smiled back. "Now can I interest you two in an appetizer? Perhaps Antipasto?"

"That sounds perfect." This time Maura smiled at me.

Marzio nodded, still smiling, before he left to put our appetizer order in. Maura took a small sip of her wine before waving her hand for me to continue. I didn't know where I needed to pick up from; I had just lost my train of thought.

"Maybe we should figure out what we're getting for the entrée?" I asked and she nodded.

"Probably, the Cioppino here is wonderful." Maura only looked at her menu for a second before she shut it.

I scratched my neck, unsure of what I was going to get I mean this was real Italian not the stuff I brought home for my mother. Maura seemed to catch my confused look because she spoke up.

"If you're thinking the Veal Parmigiana I recommend actually getting the Veil Marsala. Marzio's chef gets it perfect every time."

"I guess I'll go with that then, you would know better than me." I said smiling, I was actually enjoying myself.

"So if there isn't anything else about the case, perhaps we could get to know each other better?" Maura asked taking another sip of wine.

"Why not, the case can wait for a few hours." I said taking a sip of my wine, and damn it was good wine. "Favorite color?"

"That's what you want to know? Alright detective," she laughed. "Red. And you?"

"Blue," I said with a grin. "What kind of questions did you have in mind? I can't give you everything after all you are still a suspect."

"What would I gain from knowing if your prefer top from bottom?" Maura's smile faltered for a brief second but instantly she recovered.

"That I haven't had a successful relationship for almost a year, so really nothing." It took me a second to recover; she really did say what was on her mind. "But if you must know I like the top."

Marzio came up to our table with our appetizer, setting it down gently in the middle of the table.

"Enjoy," he smiled. "Are you two ready to order or should I come back?"

We both ordered, Maura getting the Cioppino and me the Veal Marsala. Marzio left us again, promising me I wouldn't be disappointed. I turned my attention back to Maura, sipping again on my glass of wine before we continued with our non-business related conversation.

"So tell me doctor how many men do you bring here?" I was curious after Marzio explained how many people of different regions of the world she brought here.

"Not as many as Marzio likes to say," Maura's voice seemed to lower. "I have brought a lot of people but not as dates. I tend to scare men away when I diagnose them with things their doctors haven't."

"Are you always right?" I asked, chewing on some type of meat from the Antipasta.

"It's only an observation, but yes usually." Maura wasn't in the least bit modest.

The rest of the night was like that, we were talking like old friends within twenty minutes off getting our entrées. Throughout the meal Maura and I were laughing at our own experiences that for some reason tonight we thought were funny. There was something there in Maura's voice that allowed me to speak freely. I didn't worry about saying anything about the case and stayed to a minimal on personal things. But somehow I managed to keep talking through dessert, Maura ordered a simple Cappuccino and I ordered the Tiramisu. When we had finished and standing to leave, and thank Marzio I realized I hadn't called for a cab.

"Goddamnit." I said under my breath.

"Something wrong?" Maura asked.

"No not really, I have to call a cab." I replied.

"I could give you a ride," she said.

"Thanks but really its fine," I replied, half lying.

"I'll wait here with you then it's your choice." Maura said, causing me to raise an eyebrow.

"Is that a threat?" I asked.

"It could be." Maura smiled leading me outside.

I rolled my eyes but realized it would be less of a hassle to get a ride with her. What harm would it do? Finally I sighed and turned to her while we stood on the sidewalk.

"Fine, give me a ride…"

"Mind if we stop by my place first?"

"Sure, why not?"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Maura led the way into her small house, hanging her jacket on a coat rack next to the door. The house to me looked almost like no one really lived here full time, I had gotten that feeling the first time I had been here but hadn't paid much attention because of a headache. Maura went immediately to the kitchen where we had talked the first time I had come here the other day. I followed unsure of what else I should do except for stand at the front door like an idiot.

"Could I interest you in a glass of wine?" she asked.

"I think I've had my limit for tonight, tomorrow I'll have a migraine." I replied, holding up a hand.

Maura nodded and walked away from the counter over me, she stood so close I could feel the heat radiating from her body. Awkwardly I gave her a smile unable to do anything more but shift uncomfortably.

"Listen Jane, if I can call you that, I'm not usually this open about things with people and what I want to ask is extremely personal," she said, reacting out to touch my elbow briefly. "I'm not good at reading people but there's something about you that I just can't explain."

I knew where she was going; I felt the same towards her. However I wasn't ready to discuss anything.

"Listen Maura, I don't know exactly what you're getting at but-"

She stopped me.

"Jane, neither of us has had a successful relationship in a while and I would never ask if I didn't think you would feel the same. But for once I know you won't refuse."

She was right, I didn't want to admit it but I knew she was right. The first time I met her I couldn't stop my eyes from taking in every inch of her. I couldn't keep my mind from wondering things I should have never let them go to. She was a suspect and I was the lead detective on the case, allowing anything more than conversation- and even that- could cause a conflict of interest if she really was our killer. I bit my lip, my mind racing unable to put a sentence together to get me out of this.

Maura stepped closer before I could come up with anything and then my mind went blank. My heart raced and my mouth started to go dry, I couldn't figure this out. But then I didn't have to, I don't know which of us moved in first but our lips meant before I knew what was happening. Then I didn't care, a fire rose in my stomach and the kiss sent sparks flying as our tongues met eagerly. I stepped back as she stepped into me running into the counter, for the moment I let her lead me taking me to somewhere I hadn't been since Casey. When she finally pulled away we still stood close but I felt the heat leave making me shiver.

"I believe you just answered my question." Maura said.

"How did you…?" I trailed off.

"Marzio tends to exaggerate on the amount of people I bring in. But I have had dinner with people who are of those nationalities he mentioned…" Maura said.

"Yeah but-"

"I never said they were men Jane." Maura grinned tugging on my blazer. "I've had my run ins with enough bad men and women. It's about time a good one came around."

I didn't argue I just let her lead me into what I took to be her bedroom. There wasn't enough time to take in the room before we were locked in a heated kiss again. Something about this was unsettling with me however, something was just off but I didn't let it bother me. Maura had already pushed my blazer off my shoulders and it was now in a heap on the floor. I let her slip her hands under my shirt her touch burning my skin and only making me want her more. Never before had I felt like this, not with someone who was practically a stranger.

Maura didn't need words to know that I was willing. She lifted the shirt from my waist and pulled it over my head, before with both dropped onto the bed. I unzipped the back of her dress and helped her slip out of it, never once breaking our connection. I ran my hand over her bare skin, smooth like silk and hot to the touch. Maura allowed me to roll her onto her back so I was on top of her, propping myself up on my elbows staring into her hazel eyes. She smiled up at me, and for a second it was as if we had been here a hundred times before. I had needed this; I had wanted this from someone for so long it was weird to finally get it. I kissed her neck, receiving a shiver from her in response.

"I take it your taking up my offer to help with the pain in your side?"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Kurt paced by the phone, Maura was supposed to have called him by midnight, it was now 1AM. Something had either gone really wrong or really right but he had no way of knowing. Kurt had learned to assume the worst and it was still that way now, Maura had a way of making him worry. For someone who couldn't lie without getting hives she sure as hell was good at manipulating people. Kurt couldn't handle it, he dialed her land line, knowing he wouldn't and couldn't leave a message but aware that Maura had caller ID.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Olivia called Jane before she headed to bed, the autopsies had revealed nothing but she had found a substance she sent in for testing. She wanted to let Jane know that but she also wanted to make sure Jane had made it home and hadn't become the next ice pick victim. Olivia only got voicemail on Jane's cell, she left a message.

"Jane its Olivia, the autopsies didn't turn up anything but I found some substance in Mrs. VanCroft. I sent it in for testing but we won't get the results for a day or two. I uh, hope you dinner went well and you got home okay… Call me when you get this okay?"

Olivia hung up feeling slightly worried.